NOT SAD OFFICE LUNCH - Stachowski's Market (GUEST BLOG EDITION)

Editor's note: This installment of NSOL comes from none other than my partner and foodie in crime, Graham. As you will see from his review below, he is much better placed to judge the size of ginormous pastrami sandwiches.

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When I found myself in Georgetown at midday on a Friday, my first thought was “how did I get here? I never go to Georgetown.” But let me assure you, there is at least one eatery that can make the trip worthwhile.

I ventured a few blocks north of the chaos that is M Street NW to the corner of 28th and P, a quiet, shady, colonial block where a lovely sign welcomed me to Stachowski’s Market, a purveyor of fine meats and assorted accompaniments. Stachowski’s had been on my to-do list for ages, but it being Georgetown, I’d not yet been able to go in my time in DC.

Having heard especially good things about their pastrami sandwich (relating to quality but even more emphatically on the size of the thing), I ordered one and waited. When it was finally brought to me…even I, at 6’ 8”, was shocked by the sheer mass with which I presented. The sandwich probably weighed 2 pounds in total. I quickly paid and headed back to the office.

Stachowski’s pastrami is bigger than my hand, which is large indeed.

The sandwich is a massive brick of rye and meat and mustard and is one of the more glorious creations upon which I’ve laid eyes. There are at least five or six layers of fresh, thickly-cut pastrami piled high, and all slathered in a delicious-but-not-overwhelming mustard.

Apologies for the poor photo quality, but once I saw this my more primordial instincts took over and I barely had enough time to take this blurry shot before diving into the sandwich headfirst.

Amazingly, the two thick sandwich halves come on top of a full additional slice of thick bread. This seemed curious enough until I began eating. Then I discovered that the sheer amount of pastrami spilling out was enough to fold said piece of bread in two and turn into an additional half sandwich.

Sheer bliss is the only way I can describe the taste of this. Simple but perfect, the pastrami spiced just enough to bring out the best flavors of the meat. Tender but not falling apart in the sandwich, just in my mouth.

Look at the thing. It is a taste of heaven. I have run out of words to say because my mouth is watering again and I need to stuff mGHWHBA HAERB OPIQWNSC

What's the deal: Delicious meat and sausage-based sandwiches
Wallet damage: Sandwiches run from $9 to $13 (but are huge); sausages and wursts are $5-6
What to get: The Pastrami, good things have been heard about the "4-Meat Grinder" (an absolutely massive Italian) and the Braunschweiger (liverwurst on rye)